Grant Batty

Grant Bernard Batty (31 August 1951 – 16 January 2026) was a New Zealand rugby union footballer. A diminutive but effective wing for the All Blacks, Batty played domestically for Wellington and Bay of Plenty. A crowd favourite, he was usually the smallest man on the field. Nicknamed "Batts", he was also known as "Twinkle Toes" or "Pocket Rocket" for his small size, explosive acceleration, and fearless combative approach. His rugby career was cut short by a knee injury, leading to his retirement in 1977 at age 25.

Early life Batty was born in Greytown on 31 August 1951, and educated at Kuranui College.

Rugby career In his career, Batty played 102 first class matches and scored 109 tries.

Later life and death After retiring, Batty won the New Zealand edition of the televised multi-sport competition Superstars for three years running from 1977 to 1979.

After a failed hotel venture in the 1980s, Batty and his family moved to Australia. He coached various teams in Queensland, including a spell as assistant coach for the Queensland Reds, and in 2004-2005 he coached Japanese Top League team Yamaha Jubilo. He later lived in the small rural community of Wallabadah, New South Wales.

Batty died in Queensland on 16 January 2026, at the age of 74.

Views of other rugby players Chris Laidlaw likened Batty to Robert Muldoon, 'small, stunted and radiating a single message to all around him: "Don't mess with me or I'll punch your lights out."'